Compare Erie vs. Nationwide Insurance

Erie and Nationwide are both well-known companies in the insurance industry. Both companies were founded in 1925, and have excellent customer-satisfaction ratings. In fact, Erie received a J.D. Power award in 2016 for having the most satisfying customer purchase experience, while Nationwide’s website states that it has a 95 percent member satisfaction rate. Additionally, Nationwide is ranked the #2 auto insurer for 2016, and the two companies share superior financial strength ratings and high J.D. Power ratings. Erie’s downside is that its premiums are not as affordable, and Nationwide’s website lacks an online-chat feature. So which one offers the kinds of discounts, services, and even customer ratings that best fit your car insurance wants and needs? Keep reading to find out.

Best If/Worst If

Erie

Nationwide

Best If

Erie

You want excellent customer service

Nationwide

You want a fast and fair claims process

Worst If

Erie

You want more affordable insurance premiums

Nationwide

You want strong online or mobile services

Compare Insurance Prices

Comparing quotes is the best way to get the lowest rates from top insurers like Erie and Nationwide. QuoteWizard is an independent company that helps you find the right policy at the best rate.

Special Car Insurance Discounts

Erie

Nationwide

Erie

Other Discounts:

Safe Driving Course Discount

Driver Training Discount

Accident Prevention Course Discount

Nationwide

Paperless DocumentsNationwide has a unique discount that saves customers money and saves the company (and the planet) paper. Going paperless simply means sending all the bills, or documents you’d otherwise receive in the mail over to e-mail. It’s an easy way to save paper and keep better track of your important insurance documents. Read more about this discount here.

Standard Car Insurance Discounts

Bundling Coverage Discounts

Erie

Nationwide

Multi-Car

Home and Car

Car and Life

Vehicle Type and Safety Features

Erie

Nationwide

Alternative Fuel

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Anti-Lock Brake

Anti-Theft

Passive Restraint

New Car

Economy Car

Utility Vehicle

Farm or Ranch Vehicle

Driving Record and Insurance History

Erie

Nationwide

Accident Free/Good Driver

Prior Insurance

Long Term Policy Holder

Defensive Driving Course

Student, Professional, and Club Memberships

Erie

Nationwide

Affinity Group

College Graduate

Good Student

Resident Student

Organization or Club Membership

Farm Bureau Member

Military

Special Circumstances

Erie

Nationwide

Telematics Device

Low Mileage

Short Commute

Days Per Week Driven

Other Discounts

Erie

Nationwide

Married

Paid in Full

Advance Renewal

Electronic Funds Transfer

Senior Driver

55 and Retired

Consumer Complaint Data

Erie Auto Insurance

Nationwide Auto Insurance

2016

43

53

2015

40

112

2014

35

90

2013

19

134

U.S. Auto Insurance Shopping Study (2016)

Erie Auto Insurance

Nationwide Auto Insurance

Overall Purchase Experience

Among the best

Average

Policy Offerings

Above average

Average

Pricing

Among the best

Average

Local Agent

Above average

Average

Call Center Representative

--

Average

Insurer Website

--

Average

U.S. Auto Insurance Claims Satisfaction Study (2015)

Erie Auto Insurance

Nationwide Auto Insurance

Overall Satisfaction

Average

Above average

First Notice of Loss

Average

Above average

Service Interaction

Above average

Above average

Appraisal

Average

Above average

Repair Process

Among the best

Above average

Rental Car Experience

Average

Average

Settlement

Average

Average

Financial Strength Ratings

Erie Auto Insurance

Nationwide Auto Insurance

A.M. Best

A+

A+

Moody's

--

A1

S&P's

A

A+

Mobile Apps

Erie

Nationwide

Erie

eSSENTIAL Accessibility App. This free app helps you navigate Erie’s website from your mobile device. It’s geared for those with physical disabilities who have trouble using a mouse. The app has keyboard and mouse replacement options and aims to aid the disabled. To read more and download the app, click here.

Nationwide Mobile Banking App can be downloaded to your web browser or your mobile phone. The app grants you access to your Nationwide bank accounts. It also lets you stay on top of your insurance related finances. You can deposit checks or pay insurance bills at home or by phone. For more information and to download the Mobile Banking App, click here.

Roadside Assistance

Erie

Nationwide

Erie

Erie Emergency Road Service

Emergency Road Service coverage is offered as part of your current car insurance policy. Road Service covers labor costs thru their nationwide roadside assistance partner Agero.

Service Covered

Towing

Flat tire

Battery service

Gas delivery

Contact Phone Number

Erie Emergency Road Service Hotline: (800) 367-3743

Nationwide

Nationwide Roadside Assistance

Nationwide Roadside Assistance offers two levels of coverage that apply to everyone on your policy. It doesn't matter who's car you might be in.

Nationwide Roadside Assistance Basic

Services covered:

Towing up to 15 miles

Winching

Gas delivery

Battery service

Lockout service up to $100

Tire replacement

Nationwide Roadside Assistance Plus

Covers all the services of the basic plan plus:

Towing up to 100 miles

Trip interruption coverage that will reimburse the cost

Contact Phone Number

Call 1 (800) 421-3535.

Its roadside service website is here. This service can help if you need a: locksmith, jumpstart, tire fixed, tow, or gas delivered.